Coyotes outgun visiting Chiefs, 6-4

Rhodes nets winner as part of 3-point effort

The Osoyoos Coyotes picked up right where they off after the Christmas break.

Colton Rhodes snapped a 4-4 tie with 4:36 to play and added two assists as the Coyotes beat the Kelowna Chiefs 6-4 in KIJHL action in front of 408 fans on Wednesday at the Sun Bowl Arena.

Austin Steger scored twice, including an empty-netter with two seconds to go as the Coyotes (23-5-1) won their fourth straight and stayed unbeaten in regulation (12-0-1) in their last 13 games. Judd Repole had a goal and two assists and is fourth in KIJHL scoring with 46 points while Hunter Johnson and Ryan Roseboom also connected. Daniel Stone had two assists and leads all KIJHL blueliners with 42 points.

Jason Village, Brett Witala, Jaden McNulty and Joel Scrimbit replied for the Chiefs (16-13-1-1).

Osoyoos led 2-1 and 3-1 at the period breaks but the Chiefs rallied with two quick goals in the third period to tie it. The teams traded goals before Rhodes put Osoyoos ahead to stay.

Adam Jones made 31 saves for Osoyoos while Tanner Marshall stopped 40 shots for the Chiefs.

The Coyotes face the Princeton Posse tonight at 7:35 at the Sun Bowl in their last game of 2016. North Okanagan visits Osoyoos on Wednesday.

The Summerland Steam hosted the Posse on Thursday night and don’t see action again until Friday, Jan. 6 when Kelowna visits the Summerland Arena.

Summerland (19-7-1-3) has slipped five points behind Osoyoos in the Okanagan Division standings.

Kelowna look destined to finish third, while North Okanagan leads Princeton by three points in the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division.

Beaver Valley Nite Hawks (23-4-1-2) lead the KIJHL overall standings with 49 points, Kimberley and Creston each have 48 and Osoyoos 47.